Downtown Sarasota

BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN SARASOTA

Downtown Sarasota is arguably the most beautiful, culturally rich and captivating small city downtown in all of Florida.

Sarasota features many great galleries, boutique shops, restaurants, nightclubs, museums, theatres, yacht clubs and scenic vistas that provide viewing of the most amazing sunsets on a regular basis. Downtown Sarasota hosts a variety of culinary options with a wide array of prices. Some of the local favorites include legendary Patrick’s 1481, Mattison’s City Grille, Bijou Café, The Drunken Poet, First Watch and C’est La Vie, to name a few.

Downtown Sarasota consists of several shopping complexes, which includes the one of a kind St. Armands Circle. St. Armands is home to a world-class shopping experience that is accompanied by breathtaking scenery. It also features amazing boutiques, casual dining and several day spas. The shops in this area offer a diverse selection of merchandise, from resort wear to jewelry made by master jewelers to hand crafted candies and imported cigars.

Downtown Sarasota is a place for individuals, friends and family to spend a relaxing afternoon or have a great night out on the town. Look forward to experiencing late night entertainment such as live music and dancing venues when you spend your night in Sarasota’s majestic downtown.

The Ringling Museum of Art is located in Sarasota and is well-known for its beautiful and grand collection of paintings and sculptures. The museum was built by John Ringling to house his personal collection, but it has grown successfully to become an awe-inspiring gallery. It contains work by several Old Masters including Rubens, Velázquez, van Dyck, Titian, El Greco, Veronese, Titian, Tintoretto, Gainsborough and several others. The Ringling Museum of Art is perfect for anyone wishing to spend a day perusing beautiful and thought provoking art.

However, the Ringling Museum isn’t the only attraction available to art enthusiasts in the Sarasota area. The Asolo Repertory Theatre allows Sarasota residents the opportunity to watch beautiful scenes unfold on a grand stage. The Asolo stages fifteen productions per season and spans a variety of newly commissioned plays, musical theatre and bold reinterpretations of contemporary and classical works. These performances provide the Sarasota region with a wide collection of artistic entertainment.

The artistic entertainment doesn’t stop with the Asolo in Sarasota. One of Sarasota’s most unique landmarks is the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. The Van Wezel’s Roskamp Auditorium seats 1,736 people and received a state-of-the-art renovation in 2001. The theatre contains wonderful acoustical dynamics that allows for beautiful acapella performances. The Van Wezel hosts a wide assortment of performances each year; some of their previous acts include Sarah McLachlan, Dianna Ross, Sheryl Crow and Jay Leno. The Van Wezel is a cornerstone to the arts and culture of the Sarasota lifestyle.

As if outstanding arts and culture weren’t enough, Sarasota can add fun and exciting educational experiences to the list as well. One such experience can be had at Sarasota’s extensive Mote Marine Aquarium. People of all ages can be easily entertained with the exploration and discovery of the many secrets of the ocean and ocean life contained in this aquarium. You can literally feel sea creatures as they swim by with the aquarium’s touch pools. Additionally, Mote Marine Aquarium pleases visitors with its high-tech interactive exhibits, and viewable working labs. For visitors who came just to watch, prepare to see manatees, sea turtles, sharks, and over 100 more species of marine life up close and personal.

The unique experiences don’t end with Mote Marine; Sarasota is inhabited by one of the world’s most famous daredevils, Nik Wallenda. Mr. Wallenda, known as the king of the high wire, is a resident of the Sarasota community and practiced for his walk across the Grand Canyon in Sarasota’s Benderson Park. Benderson Park is a 600-acre park that provides public access to a 500-acre lake, and it will host the 2017 World Rowing Championships.